Production of an updated four-door second generation model
commenced in 2006 despite some mixed messages from the Storm's
primary customer, the Israel Defence Forces. Development of a third
generation vehicle based on the new Jeep Wrangler JK is in advanced stages,
and significant production for both Israeli and foreign customers
is planned.

The M-240 Storm MultiMission Vehicle is the
first of three Storm generations. A variant of the 1991 Jeep Wrangler YJ
and the older CJ-6/CJ-8 wheelbase, it is entirely
produced in Israel by Automotive Industries Ltd. with the exception
of the engines, as their manufacture is not economically viable on
the Storm's market scale.[1]

The Storm was primarily meant to satisfy Israeli military needs,
but capable long and short versions are produced for the local
civilian market. Like the Jeep, it has a conventional front-engine design with a driver
and passenger seated behind the engine, and room for cargo or
passengers behind them. It is powered by a Chrysler3.983 litre 6-cylinder in-line
petrol with fuel injection developing 180 hp (130 kW) at
4,700 rpm, fitted with Vortox 2-stage air cleaner or a Volkswagen2.5 litre
4-cylinder turbocharged diesel developing 88 kilowatts
(118 hp) at 4,200 rpm. The front axle is fully
floating and the rear axle is semi-floating, while a reinforced
frame and body as well as good angles of approach and departure
(40° and 37° for short frame, 40° and 26.5° for long frame) add to
the Storm's off-roading capability.[2]

The two production frame lengths, 4.15 (13.6) and
4.5 metres (14.8 ft), the latter of which was among the
few such Jeep-derivatives in
production in recent years, were both available in civilian and
military models. Aside from the Israeli market, Storms have long
been exported to countries in South America, Asia, and Africa.[3]
A Jeep-managed production line in Egypt, whose vehicles are used by
the Egyptian armed forces, was absorbed into the AIL Storm
production after it closed in 1995.[4]

Security
versions

Like its parent Jeep Wrangler, the Storm is first and
foremost an airmobile, capable offroad and utility vehicle
meant to tackle extreme terrain in a general reconnaissance
role, and can be outfitted with a machine gun or other weapons
systems. When armed with a 105 mm (4.1 in) M40
recoilless rifle, the vehicle is uniquely capable of firing
directly over its blast guard equipped hood rather than in the
perpendicular position required by most other vehicles.[5]

A variant of the extended version used in desert border patrol
makes use of a high-ceilinged canopy to allow a swivelling rear
facing heavy machine-gun mount, while the canopy can be extended to
provide a mobile command post. An air conditioned hardtop version of the extended
model is often used by officers, and a version developed for riot control has
clear polycarbonate shielding along the rear
sides and roof, as well gunports for less-lethal
weapons. The shielding allows for a wide field of view while
at the same time protecting against firebombs and rock-throwing.[5]

When the need for a light armoured vehicle became apparent to
the Israeli security forces, AIL's engineering department designed
a vehicle protection system from the bottom up, integrating it into
the existing vehicle in a manner that did not compromise its
off-road and other capabilities, and that did not create the
mechanical strain and increase in maintenance often associated with
up-armouring, in part due to its computerized 180 horsepower
(130 kW) injected engine.[5]

The armour protects against 7.62 millimetre (0.3 in) armour-piercing ammunition, and maintains a
high protection-to-weight and cost ratio by employing IDF approved
advanced materials. The protected Israeli configuration's gross vehicle weight is
3,000 kilograms (6,614 lb),[6]
though several varying protection levels are in use with individual
units.[5]

Another important asset are the Storm's narrow dimensions, which
allow it to traverse the narrow alleyways common to the casbahs of many Middle Eastern
cities, places that armoured Humvees can
only enter with great difficulty and minimal manoeuvrability, if at
all. Full-height rear doors which allow for the quick deployment of
fully equipped troops into combat are touted as another advantage
over similar vehicles.[5]

Beginning in 2006, AIL began delivery of an improved model to
the IDF, the M-242 Storm Mark II, known in the
field as the "Storm Commander". A number of significant changes
have been incorporated into the new TJ-based Storms stemming
from soldiers' feedback, updated operational requirements, and
testing by GOC Army Headquarters and Logistics, Medical, and the Centers
Directorate. Perhaps the most obvious change is the addition of
dual passenger doors, making the Storm II the first five-door Jeep Wrangler
derivative.[8][9][10]

Other improvements include the addition of gears to six over the
previous four and increased stability resulting from wider axles
than its predecessor. Leaf springs were replaced with modern
suspension, and the Storm II features rear Dana 44 axles and front TJ Dana 30s, factory
designed slip yoke eliminators, and the added safety of airbags. Soldiers' comfort was
addressed as well with the addition of standard rear air
conditioning as well as CD players.[1][9][10]

MDT David
controversy

Row of David vehicles

Developed in the 2000s at an investment of US$2
million after IDF commitments for 1,200 units, some AIL jobs were
believed to be in jeopardy following a mid-2005 announcement that
the IDF would purchase 100 US sold Land Rover
Defender-based MDT David. The announcement provoked threats of
protests from AIL's management and labourers, who had recently
faced the blow of local Humvee
assembly ceasing due to budget considerations. The MDT David was
chosen over the armoured version of the Storm because the heavy
Storm was said to suffer from handling and reliability problems,
safety hazards and limited mission operability. However the IDF
said that the purchase of the David was to fill a temporary gap in
production until the Storm II's testing was completed, and has
since begun filling its commitment.[6][11]

Storm III

A Storm Mark III was set to be produced for the
Israeli Security forces starting in June 2008, but production has
yet to start. A prototype is however already on the roads. Based on
the new four-door Jeep Wrangler JK design, the Mark III is
meant to address some of the shortfalls of the current Mark II.
Whereas the previous vehicle was an update of the original Storm,
the Storm III is designed from the outset for a five-door
configuration. Unlike the JK, the new Storm will have a much higher
maximum load in part due to heavier-duty shock absorbers, necessary for an
armoured version. It will include as standard a 2.8 litre VM Motoriturbodiesel and
automatic transmission.[3]

Like the Storm II, the Mark III will initially only be available
to the military, with versions set to be delivered to Israel Police in
2009. A civilian version will only be released if the local tax
code is modified to allow it to compete with foreign imports of the
same class, and AIL says that if that happens such a version could
be offered with a petrol engine. Nevertheless, the factory says it
plans to roll out 600 vehicle the first year for both local and
foreign markets.[3]

A pair of production J8's was tested by Israeli web magazine
Jeepolog.com journalists in April 2009. It was dubbed "probably,
the best Jeep ever". The civilian version that was apparently
considered for the local Israeli market has been abandoned. [12]